Five games which mark out Frank Lampard as an undisputed Chelsea legend

Frank Lampard has announced his departure from Chelsea in a heartfelt letter to the club’s supporters, bringing a hugely successful 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge to an end.

The 35-year-old has yet to reveal his next destination, but takes with him a phenomenal CV from his time in west London.

Not only is he Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals, but the England international leaves a Champions League and Europa League winner, a three-time Premier League champion and a four-time FA Cup holder.

Lampard will undoubtedly go down as a Chelsea legend and one of the club’s greatest ever players, alongside the likes of Peter Osgood and Gianfranco Zola.

Here are five matches which will see Lampard remain in the hearts of Chelsea fans forever.

1) Bolton v Chelsea (Premier League, 2004/05)

Frank Lampard helped Chelsea to their first Premier League title in 2005 (Picture: Getty)

It had been 50 years since Chelsea had been champions of England, but they earned the honour again in 2005. Yes, the Blues had benefited from Roman Abramovich’s riches, but forget the likes of Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben, it was the ever-reliable Lampard who handed his side the title, scoring both goals in their 2-0 victory at the Reebok Stadium to clinch the championship.

2) Chelsea v Liverpool (Champions League, 2007/08)

Frank Lampard scored from the spot against Liverpool (Picture: PA)

Liverpool travelled to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, bringing with them a 1-1 draw from the first leg. Chelsea took the initial advantage on the night, with Didier Drogba netting after 33 minutes but Fernando Torres levelled for the visitors to take the tie to extra time. In the eighth-minute of the additional period, Chelsea were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Frank Lampard, which under normal circumstances would be nothing unusual, expect on this occasion his mother, Pat, had passed away just days before. But the midfielder kept his composure admirably to fire past Pepe Reina and guide Chelsea towards the final.

3) Bayern Munich v Chelsea (Champions League, 2011/12)

:Frank Lampard captained Chelsea in the Champions League final (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea had been so close to Champions League glory in 2008 and after numerous semi-final disappointments over the years, the Blues finally got their hands on the elusive trophy in 2012 – led by none other than Frank Lampard. Captain John Terry was suspended for the Munich final, but Lampard stepped up without worry to drive his side to glory, converting one of the Blues’ four successful penalties in the shoot-out.

Frank Lampard’s goal record from midfield is nothing short of astonishing. He is one of only two players – along with Wayne Rooney – to score 10 or more goals in 10 consecutive seasons and in May last year became Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer, ahead of the legendary Bobby Tambling (202 goals). The record had been in his sights for a while, but it remained painfully just beyond his reach as he struggled to hold down a regular place in the Chelsea side under Rafael Benitez. But against Aston Villa – the side against whom he has scored more goals than any other in Premier League history – the midfielder finally got the two goals he needed to overtake Tambling. The celebrations will remain in Chelsea fans’ memories for a long time.

5) Chelsea v Benfica (Europa League, 2012/13)

Frank Lampard lifted the Europa League title last year (Picture: Reuters)

Chelsea may have become the first defenders of the Champions League title to get knocked out in the group stages, but they bounced back in style in the Europa League. The Blues reached the final in Amsterdam with relative ease and it was again Frank Lampard who led his side out on the big occasion, with John Terry sidelined through injury. The competition may not have meant quite as much as the one they had succeeded in just 12 months previously, but it was another title for Lampard and his team-mates.